Pamela Anderson to play Virgin Mary

Pamela Anderson will portray the Virgin Mary in a comedic re-imagining of the nativity story.

The former Baywatch actress, notorious for her Playboy spreads as well a controversial sex tape with her then husband, Tommy Lee of the rock band Motley Crue, is the unlikely biblically inspired character in A Russell Peters Christmas Special . The show is a collaboration between The Comedy Network and Canadian network CTV. Peters, the Australian comedian, will play Joseph.

The network has already taken the steps to appease viewers who may be offended by this alternative Christmas story waving it off as simply 'an irreverent twist on the Christmas Special'.

The show, which will broadcast at the beginning of next month, will feature a mix of animation, stand up and sketch comedy and musical performances.

Other guests who will appear in the 60-minute programme include the singer Michael Buble and comedian Job Lovitz.